Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Well I dont think we have ever seen anything quite like this...a government disintegrating in such a mass way. Unravelling spectacularly, with Gordon Brown the beleagured PM gaping on in gob open disbelief, seemingly unable to do anything as Ministers and MP's go down like skittles. The newspaper headlines today say things like "Meltdown" and "Collapse" so isnt it all over for Gordon.
He wont call an election, unless dragged kicking and screaming into it at gunpoint, because he knows Labour will be annihilated at the polls. Although all sides, all political hues, have been hit by the expenses scandal, Labour have come out the worst. It was always going to be worse for them because they are the ones in power. Even in these days of our own reckless abandonment of any moral code, we have not forgotten our religous/moral genetical heritage, yes its in our genes even still, so when people we regard as our betters behave as we do, we are incandescent.
I recognise that its time for an election..even though Labour will almost certainly lose and lose badly. But better to lose than to prop up an ugly unpopular administration....and I say this even though Ive been a Labour supporter and a Tony Blair fan for years.
I see a name I mentioned on here before as a possible leader, not to universal acclaim as I remember, Allan Johnson, Minister and former Trade Union leader, could well be the next leader of the Labour Party. He is not a spectacular guy by any means but a steady guy with a quiet good natured likeability. Labour needs to get back to somebody with genuine ordinary appeal who is a good performer on televison. Someone with the ability to reach into your living room and get listened to.
Sadly the verbal caricature of GB as a Captain Mainwaring figure is painfully true. The moment at which he could have even pretended to scoop back any leadership has long passed.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
He did rally a bit there Bern with the financial crises. For a time he seemed to have found wings and it looked like a Labour revival was on the cards. But in actual fact since he took over, everything from a needle to anchor in political terms has gone wrong for him. Maybe he was unlucky, maybe he was kept waiting in the wings too long, or maybe he never had any leadership potentiall at all but sold us all a bill of goods. He of course reached the position by default as it were...forever in Tonys shadow with the long face of the boy who got left at home and didnt make it to the birthday party. And when his time came he couldnt do it.
History wont see him well. The Prime Minister who never won an election. Even in the history books he will still be in Tony Blair's shadow.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Ia think you will see GB fight back over the weekend, we will see labour having serious seat losses in the election euro and county.
It's now down to GB to make his stand, he did try to do the right thing and told 4 MP's they wouldn't be welcome to stand at nect election but they announced they were going before they were pusdhed.
I think GB is the unlucky P.M. like Hague was, a leader at the wrong time.
Lots of things happened totally out of the control of the PM
But have faith Paulb he will be back over the weekend,
The alternative is frightening,
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Brown is finished Keith, face the facts. He is inept and to suggest he can fight back from this is pushing credability too far. A change of Government is desperately needed, a cleansing of Parliament along with it.
His problems are not just one of being an inadequate leader. He was responsible for the nation's finances for 10 years before he became PM and his errors of judgement really are now biting him as PM. His changes to the banking regulation were a disaster, his changes to taxation of pensions and pension rules, changes to tax free savings likewise. His brainchild the FSA have not been up to the task he gave them. His sell off of gold. the tax credits are a beaurocratic disaster. His Government spending binge. Everything he has touched has failed.
I have to agree PaulB that from choice he wont call an election too early, may next year being likely. But the chances are increasing that he wont have any choice in the matter.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i think that he was waiting in the wings too long too.
maybe that is why he is clinging onto power too long.?
not the time for an election though, a lot of issues to be sorted before that happens.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Barryw
Lets see what happens over the weekend, I don't expect you to be a fan, but I cant forget nearly losing my house through your lot, so i have long memories, but time will tell, DC isn't any better, certainly not inspiring, maybe he should stand down and let hague take over, then Labour would have to worry
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
I dont expect him to inspire you Keith.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
lets face it apathy has set in at all levels,the only way to sort this out is reform by removing all ofenders from all partys.then starting afreash.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Now Hazel Blears , another Minister, she of the endless but ultimately irritating smile, has also quit...so another devastating shock and surely another nail into Gordon Browns already well nailed coffin. Personally I used to like Blears smile but now she uses it non stop where a bit more of a contrite stance might be more appropriate in the face of her miserable expense situation.
These mass resignations are really a way of getting Gordon Brown out. They are in all but name a direct challenge to him. He will now be hard pressed to form a Government with ministers of experience and even talent. There is well nigh nobody left.
Hasnt this got to be the weirdest situation ever in politics, well since i remember anyway.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
This, with the departure of the chipmunk, is looking very much a co-ordinated and well timed attack on Gordon Brown. Flint next maybe (some say it is Labour's women who have the balls in that party), Burnham too?
A July GE with the ousting of Brown is looking more likely by the hour.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Hot off the press, Labour MPs are getting a letter signed demanding Brown's resigation, they think they can get 80 signatures according to the Guardian.
We are in for a dramatic few days for us political anoraks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/03/rebels-call-for-gordon-brown-to-quitBrian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
just a case of spoilt brats throwing there out of there prams after getting fingers burnt whilst there fingers being caught in the public purse.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Not to mention an utterly useless PM.
here is a bit more on the plot, there is a timetable to unseat him apparently.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/jun/03/brown-leadership-pressBrian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
barryw,you have a bad case of apathy,sugest you go and see your gp [docter that is]as soon as.or take two asprin and go to a labour conferance.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Nothing apathetic about me, I am enjoying myself.
I see that the Downing Street smear machine is at work over Blears. That is true to form and at Brown's peril, a woman scorned and all that.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Theres lots of so called labour back benchers ready to take the call, and I'm sure would welcome the challenge.
I think Brian is correct on apathy, sadly the general public are fed up of ALL the parties.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i think that people are missing the vital issue here.
labour will lose a lot of seats, does anyone seriously think that mp's would want to go to the country now, losing a years salary and expenses, plus a larger pension?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i think that people are missing the vital issue here.
labour will lose a lot of seats, does anyone seriously think that mp's would want to go to the country now, losing a years salary and expenses, plus a larger pension?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Its more complex than that howard. morale is at rock bottom and a lot of MPs may well be thinking that it will get worse and their best chance is an election sooner, then others will not be standing and may just want an end to this slow strangulation. Some will think their seat will be saved if Johnson replaces Brown and if that happens there will almost certainly be an immediate General Election (though not constitutionally required). Events are unfolding fast and the next 10 days will have some surprises. Rumours of two more quitting Ministers are abounding and Brown is reported to have started his reshuffle and is having problems with Ministers being stubborn - more sackings then.... Brown may not last a week.